New entrepreneur network brings start-ups and leading cement producers together in pursuit of net zero goal

9 December, Dubai, UAE – The GCCA has today launched the third programme in its Innovandi brand, the Innovandi Entrepreneur Network. The network brings together start-ups that are developing technologies relevant to decarbonisation across the cement and concrete value chain and enables them to network with GCCA members.

Concrete is the second most used substance on earth after water and is vital for much of our modern infrastructure. In 2021, the world’s leading producers, representing 80% of global production outside of China (as well as a number of leading Chinese manufacturers) became the first ‘heavy’ industry to set out a clear pathway to decarbonisation, by signing up to the GCCA’s Cement and Concrete Industry’s 2050 Net Zero Roadmap and committing to help limit global warming to 1.5oC, in line with UN agreements.

The Entrepreneur Network, launched at COP28 in Dubai, will be open to start-ups from around the world who are specialising in accelerating the decarbonisation of the cement and concrete industry. Membership will provide a platform to access the Innovandi mentorship programme and network with peers and GCCA members, as well as access first-hand information on the Innovandi Open Challenge (see below).

Welcoming the launch of the new Innovandi Entrepreneur Network, Thomas Guillot, Chief Executive of the GCCA, said:

“Innovation can help unlock our net zero future. We recognise the vital role start-ups play in that transition and very much hope start-ups will join our entrepreneur network. Only by working together and through collaboration will we achieve our shared goals.”

Dr Ryan Gilliam is CEO and Co-Founder, of Fortera, a US based technology firm, one of several new start-ups which have already applied to join the Innovandi Entrepreneur Network. He said:

“Thank you to the GGCA for providing a platform that brings like-minded companies together to collaborate on a net zero mission to produce cement. Fortera is honoured to be one of the first companies to join GCCA’s Innovandi Entrepreneur Network, to work in concert with our industry partners to tackle this global initiative. “

The Network is the third programme under the GCCA’s Innovandi brand – following the Global Cement and Concrete Research Network, and the Open Challenge. The Global Cement and Concrete Research Network (GCCRN) provides a platform for academia and industry to collaborate on pre-competitive research, while the Open Challenge is a unique accelerator that formally partners member companies with start-ups from around the world to speed up the development of innovative decarbonisation technologies across the concrete value chain.

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Notes to editors:

More information about the Innovandi Entrepreneur Network can be found here:

Start-Ups who’ve applied to join the network include:
Carbon Upcycling Technologies
Fortera
Coomtech
Flexofibres
Sonocrete
EcoStruct Building Technologies
Nanospan
Ultra High Materials
Caidio
Enzymatic, Inc.
NeoCarbons 

About the GCCA: The GCCA and its members account for 80% of global cement production capacity outside of China, as well as a growing number of Chinese manufacturers. Member companies have committed to reducing and ultimately eliminating CO2 emissions in concrete, which currently account for around 7% globally, through implementation of the GCCA’s Concrete Future 2050 Net Zero Roadmap – the first heavy industry to set out such a detailed plan.